New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-04
A MIGHTY LIVELY B'RECK.
GENERAL BLACK ON THE RAMPAGE.

oyscHAIGIyG FoRTY-EIGHr IYDIANIANs AT ONE
FELL sTROKK-wHAr NEXTT
,rpoy THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rPiBrv,'
WASHINGTON April 8. The "physical wreck" at
The head OF the Pension Office called otherwise John
n Rlack may be incapable OF auy elort' when he
xants TO secure himself pension Srsater than that
mid TO any other soldier but he Is mighty lively
wreck ~ when he has opportunity to vent his
unlpnan hatred OF Republicans upon those unfortu-
nate enoug be placed under his official charge For
some time General Black has assiduously devoted
his time, not to improving the discipline and efficiency
OF his bureau which needs both sadly, but TO wedding
out Republicans. In this cOngenal task the manned
and crippled soldier seems to have been the especial
object OF the Com missoners perncious activity.
They the first to be singled out as his victims
1t would be a weary task TO follow the catalogue
which makes up the record OF scharIes In tue rem
sion Bureau the last year. will confne myself 10
few conspicuous examples only which occurred
within the last week two and which fear OF instant
dismissal alone until now prevented tue coeasues
OF the unfortunate men still remaining Ill olhce from
making generally Known.
II is thin. worthy of note that General Black
whenever possible fills the vacancy created through
the dismissal of Union soldier by the appointment OF
an Rebel. 1t seems to give him pleasure IL is
like adding so much insult to injury. Thus he dis
charged the other day Mr.. Curtis brave soldier as
ever shonl mushet in defence OF the Union. Mr.
Curtis had upon his body the scars OF tour bullets
One these passed through his lungs and lett him
cOnsumptlve. Upon his wages earned In the Iebsloh
Bureau depended a large family. But all this went
for nothing in the eyes OF the physical wreck Mr.
Curtis was perhaps nos wreck enough. Even the re-
rnonst-ancss of the commander OF Lincoln Post No. >,
OF which Curtis was "a member awaited nothing Cen
eral Black reased to interfere suspend his per-
niccus activity in the saying that the press
ure" for places from all sides too greet. lie
couldn't withstand it, The place of Curtis, the
wounded veteran. was filed by an able boiled and
presumabl; unreconstructed rebel" &cCandlisn by
John Richmond, oneleggsd soldier. was dismisse
last week There charges against him. lie
was not considered an " offensive partisan out
his place was wanted, Gni suppose that by this time
a robl who pratos about having returned to his
fathers house and come stay" fills IT. The pay OF n
one-armcd soldier, Cress by name, was reduced Sloo
at about the time and the salary OF another one
aimed soldier, whose name am rot nj liberty 90 give
Tor the present cut down flom 600 to III ZOO.
II is thi singing OF loyal Un,on soldiers as his
victims which makes General Blacks Official conduct
40 despicaDle and stamps Inn when he goes about the
country telling conf ling amy posts OF his love Tor
Inc soldier as II monumental hunbug OF the admin
istraton. But he achieved tie pinnacle OF his fame AS
al active VII OK Yesterday when he discharged by
one stroke his pen, without moments warning.
iortyeight CLERKS. most OF them veterans, ana ALL IL IA
said from Indiana. what made 50 drastic move
necessary this time does not appear except II be the
Administration promise to reward Oeplociauc wolk-
in Indiana. Ii certainly could not have been lack
of work. for only little more than month ago Cen
eral Black was beseechins Congress to give HIM a
greater number OF clerks SO that he could quickly pay
the poor veterans of the Mexican War. Ever SINCE as
ever gbody Knows he has been deporng the parsimony
OF Congress and ealing heaven TO witness that he
meant 10 40 right BY the Southern people who fought
in that war General Black thinks probably that he
can ma c these wholesale discharges with npunity
now that is not in session and General Har
rison is longer member OF the committee when
inv esgated the truth OF the monstOus charges which
he saw iii TO make against his predecessor III pubic
document without the remotest scintilla even OF a
proof or Evidence of any kind. That committee, by
The Way, has not reported yet. and NAV determine to
overhaul lie physical wreck" once more before II
gets through with him.
Arbiti ar, in his moods malignant in spirit fawning
when fawnis pays. and arrogant III his trealn NJ OF
subordinates when it is safe 10 do General Black
dispays admnst ration of his office all the char
acterstics a petty tyrant He is IN turn martinez
and tartuife Diiidence does not enter into his com
position. Vanity and conceit about equally divided
in his character Overbearing ill-naured and intoi
Grant, assuming in the presence OF his superors at
laughing -stock OF official Washington The poor
devils employed near him trembe at his vagaries lie
fines them TOR clerical errors by requesting them 10
take lew days leave OF absence without p8J. lie
subjects them q number of silly and degrading an
noyanues. A who returned to the building alter
Office hours the OFT day TO get umbrella which he
had lett ia his fined $50 or its equivalent III
49,
The Pension Office is the only public Office in Wash
ingtOn where newspaper CORES ondens are required
TO exhibit pass before being admitted after O'Clock
To reach the presence OF the Commissioners Is as ha1
artous an undertaking as to seek interview with
the Grand Llama. 1t is such silly rules and perform
ances which make General Black the laughing stock OF
the and have earned tor him the sobquet OF the
smonumenta humbug" OF the Administration.
-S---